'4 guna lagaan dena hoga': STT hike budget memes storm internet as Nirmala Sitharaman moots changes for F&O. Check hilarious reactions

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in her record 9th Budget 2026-27 proposed to hike Securities transaction tax (STT) on both, futures and options. Securities transaction tax (STT) on both, futures and options. The current baseline rates on F&O trading are:

Futures: 0.02% on the sell side of the contract’s value. This has been increased to 0.05%.

Options: 0.1% on the sell side of the premium


After the announcement on hike by STT, the stock market declined with the Nifty down by 115 points to trade below 25,250. As soon as the announcement was made, the internet went on a meme spree and started sharing hilarious reactions on STT hike on futures and options.

ALSO READ: Budget 2026-27 memes: As Nirmala Sitharaman presents her 9th budget, netizens use iconic Panchayat dialogue, 'Apke fund se thoda paise mil jaata toh...'

Check the best memes here

"People were expecting STT removal #STT raise on F&O instead.. Nacho," a social media user commented.



"And they were expecting removal of STT... FM be like ...," commented another.


"aur maang lo STT removal, 4 guna lagaan dena hoga !!!!!," wrote a netizen on X.



Another user wrote, "Traders after STT hike," in reference to a meme related to Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan.

"Everyone expected a cut in STT… instead, they increased it in both futures and options," wrote another.




"STT has been increased by more than 100% to 0.05 % from 0.02%," another user commented.



"Many were expecting an STT cut. Got an STT hike instead in F&O. Cute," a user commented.


"STT HIKED ON FNO GOOD MOVE BY FIN MIN TO CURB SPECUALTION," a post read with a meme from movie 'Animal'.





Securities Transaction Tax (STT) is a direct tax charged on the purchase and sale of securities in India. It applies to trades carried out on recognised stock exchanges and is collected by the government at the time of the transaction. The levy aims to promote transparency in market dealings, streamline tax collection from trades, and bring capital market transactions within the formal tax system.

Shares of BSE, Groww and Angel One crash

Shares of BSE, Groww (Billionbrains Garage Ventures), Angel One plunged as much as 13.5% on Sunday after the Budget 2026 raised STT on future and options. BSE shares fell to as low as Rs 2,517.30 on the BSE, while Angel One declined to Rs 2,284.70, as investors reacted to higher levies on derivatives trading announced in the budget presented earlier in the day.

Under the Budget 2026 proposals, the STT on futures transactions was increased from 0.02% to 0.05%. The STT on options premium was raised from 0.10% to 0.15%, while the levy on options exercise was increased from 0.125% to 0.15%. "To introduce a measured course correction in the F&O segment of the capital markets and generate additional revenue for the government, it has been proposed to increase the Securities Transaction Tax (STT) on futures to 0.05% from 0.02%. Additionally, the STT on options is proposed to be raised to 0.15%, from the current rates of 0.1% on options premium and 0.125% on exercise of options. The move is aimed at moderating excessive speculative activity while augmenting tax collections." Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said.

The steep increase in STT on futures and options, coming on top of last year's hike, is likely to raise impact costs for traders, hedgers, and arbitrageurs, Shripal Shah, MD and CEO Kotak Securities, said. "This could cool derivative activity and lead to a reduction in volumes. The intent appears to be volume moderation rather than revenue maximisation, as any potential revenue gain could be offset by lower
derivative volumes," Shah added.

(With agency inputs)